Penn State was looking to create a little magic in their old stomping grounds of Rec Hall on Wednesday night, and Zach Hicks and Nick Kern Jr. rose to the occasion. Kern Jr. scored a career-best 22 points but it was three free throws by Hicks in the final seconds that delivered a memorable and much-needed victory for Penn State against No. 12 Illinois. Hicks drained all three free throws after being fouled to give Penn State a wild 90-98 victory over the Illini.
Penn State held a lead for most of the first half but trailed Illinois by seven at halftime and trailed by seven with a little over a minute to play in the game before going on a run in the final minute.
After draining the go-ahead free throw, Penn State just needed one last defensive stop, and they got it. And with that, a court storming in Rec Hall for the whiteout crowd.
GO CRAZY, NITTANY LIONS 🤯🔥@PennStateMBB x @B1GMBBall pic.twitter.com/wHujBIRzCR
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 22, 2024
NEVER. QUIT. Tonight was electric ⚡️#WeAre | #ReturnToRec pic.twitter.com/xlKRlC51MO
— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) February 22, 2024
Illinois got a big game from Terrence Shannon Jr. with a 35-point effort, but the Illini struggled to keep up the pace with Penn State from the start and could not hold off the pressure in the closing moments.
The win helps Penn State move out of the bottom four of the Big Ten standings, at least for now. Penn State moved up two spots in the Big Ten standings from no. 11 to no. 9 in the Big Ten tournament picture.
Next up for the Nittany Lions will be a home game against Indiana on Saturday. Penn State upset the Hoosiers in the first meeting of the regular season in Bloomington two weeks ago.
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